University of Southern California vs University of Notre Dame: which has better ROI?
University of Notre Dame has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $107,120 in 2.1 years versus 3 years at University of Southern California, on median earnings of $99,980 vs $92,498 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Southern California | University of Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,740 | $26,780 |
| Total net cost | $130,960 | $107,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $92,498 | $99,980 |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $19,000 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 2.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $751,800 | $925,280 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Southern California or University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame, at $26,780 a year after aid versus $32,740 — a gap of $5,960 a year, or $23,840 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Southern California or University of Notre Dame graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates report a median $99,980 ten years after entry, $7,482 more than the $92,498 at University of Southern California. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Southern California or University of Notre Dame?
University of Southern California: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $19,000 at University of Notre Dame, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
95% of students finish at University of Notre Dame, against 92% at University of Southern California. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.